Cycling my 75 gallon Tank-Need Advice

[Cichlid_Man]

Hi,
My name is Joe and I need some advice on getting my tank cycled.
I am not new to fish, but I AM new to Cichlids and getting a tank cyclrd correctly.
I have read a lot about fishless cycling by actually adding ammonia to your tank. I was not able to find pure unscented ammonia so I went ahead and bought my 8 Cichlids.

It is about one week since I added fish, and this morning I have seen my very first "trace" of ammonia. It is extremely slight. Hardly a reading at all.

I need to know what my next move is so I don't get too high of an ammonia reading, and also to avoid a serious nitrate spike??

Water change?
How much?

Please help :-)

[Fishguy2727]

at this point you dont have to worry about a nitrate spike, actually you should never have to as it builds up very slowly and usually wont even start until the cycle is complete. however i would test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate now and until the cycle is over (when the nitrites are down to 0 after they have risen/spiked) when you can cut it down to just nitrate. are these african cichlids? if not, what kind? because in general 8 is too much for a 75 (so i just want to check what exactly we're talking about here). do nothing except keep checking your water and watch the fish for signs of stress. let it cycle. at that little ammonia if you try to dilute it with water changes and correct things you will more likely throw things off and make the cycle take even longer.

[Lady Hobbs]

I just cycled a 55 gallon tank and it was the oddest cycle I had done thus far. My ammonia levels never climbed more than .25 and I had 35 inches of fish in the tank. The nitrites climbed without having the high ammonia levels as well as the nitrates. I did start the cycle with lots of used media such as gravel in mesh bags, driftwood, decorations and filters so I can only contribute it to all that added stuff.

You have a lot of water there so possibly your ammonia levels will not reach very high levels as they would in a small tank. Just keep track of the nitrites and you will do fine. As previously mentioned, when nitrites are 0 and nitrates are appearing, your tank will be cycled.

[NorthernBoy]

Ok. Both electric blue's and Yellow Labs are very sensitive to water quality. I think that I would have waited to add them until after tank is cycled, but, as you already have them introduced I would add a pouch of BioSpira. For a 75 gallon tank it will run about $20. Although, iff you add it today your tank will be fully cycled by tomorrow!!! Possably saving your more sensitive fish. Haps (elec blue) and Labs need really good water quality! IMO add the biospira immediately and do not do a water change. Are you adding a buffer to your tank aswell besides the crushed coral? If not buy some malawi buffer by sea chem and use that if your pH is low. You need a pH ideally around 8-8.7 for those fish. (some say that between 7.5-9 is okay)

[Cichlid_Man]

Thanks folks....

Yes, they are African Cichlids.
I know I should have waited, but I am hoping things will turn out fine.
So, I will go and pick up that birospira tomorrow and I should be OK.

My PH is hanging at just under 8.0. The crushed coral and Tuffa rocks should help keep that up, or I can always add 1 tsp of baking soda after water changes.

So, it seems you are saying no water change to dilute any ammonia?

I guess that's what I'll do and get that biro stuff.
Thanks! I hope to become a very active member here. You all seem very knowledgeable

[CJ1]

Just do normal weekly water changes. By doing more then normal, what happens is that you prolong the cycling process. Logic would say try to keep toxin levels low, but these toxins are needed to get needed bacteria growing. The amout of good bacteria in tank is dependant on total amout of fish waste. That why it's important to start out slow, generally with throw away fish. Then when tank is cycled, gradually add more to give good bacteria change to catch up to waste load.

[Cichlid_Man]

Just do normal weekly water changes. By doing more then normal, what happens is that you prolong the cycling process. Logic would say try to keep toxin levels low, but these toxins are needed to get needed bacteria growing. The amout of good bacteria in tank is dependant on total amout of fish waste. That why it's important to start out slow, generally with throw away fish. Then when tank is cycled, gradually add more to give good bacteria change to catch up to waste load.

Well, considering what I have read here, I am on the right track. I guess I should have started with goldfish or something, but maybe things will be OK.
My fish are not stressed in any way since the ammonia is under the .25 mark.

At this point my question would be why are 8 Cichlids too much for the 75g?

I must have been misled by the pet store because each of the fish I bought were listed at a maximun growth size of 4.5 - 5 inches?
I know we cannot stick to the "rule" of 1 inch of fish per gallon, but 8 Cichlids times 5 inches is 40....
That's too much? Or have I been misled?

Thanks again for your support!

[kimmers318]

You should be fine with 8 cichlids in that large of a tank. Keep an eye on your water paramaters and that should tell you if you need a water change or not.

[NorthernBoy]

it really depends on the type pf cichlid.

[Cichlid_Man]

it really depends on the type pf cichlid.

They are all African from Malawi I am told.
They are mentioned in my signature below.

My signature first stated that I had 2 snowflake Cichlids, but I looked at the receipt from the store and it is actually called snow white socolofi.

I'll keep an eye on the water parameters.

Thanks to all who have posted here!
I'll be back to let you know when the tank has cycled.
The water is still holding a very slight sign of ammonia, 0 nitrie, 0 nitrate, PH of 8, and I haven't tested GH or KH yet.
I guess I should???